Christmas is coming; we know that once ‘the race that stops a nation’ has been run, it’s all downhill until 25 December. Are you ready?
Twilight Christmas
Head to Billabong Park on 15 December from 5.30 pm to pick up gifts from local suppliers, watch the lighting of the Christmas tree and enjoy live entertainment.
Where to buy Christmas gifts in Gloucester NSW
It’s been inspiring to see all the local stores gearing up for Christmas. Some of my favourites include:
- Uptown Country. Men’s and women’s wear and a fabulous range of gifts, best diffusers and candles in town.
- Find them at 23 Denison Street.
- Circle of Friends. Fashion and gift wares, including the ever-popular Tilley brand that includes the new Christmas Candle scented with toffee apple and caramelised vanilla.
- Find them at 64 Church St.
- McRaes Fashion Centre. Environmentally friendly silicone lunch containers, Canterbury clothing and gorgeous leather goods.
- Find them at 79 Church St.
- Nanna’s Homewares. Everything from clothing and cocktail recipe books to kids’ needs and homewares.
- Find them at 25 Church St.
- Deck Decor/Ladybug Shop and DD’s Little Lolly Shop. Give the gift of plants this Christmas or choose a special crystal. If you’re looking to recapture childhood memories or want to introduce the children in your life to some traditional lollies, check out the range of lollies and fudge at the lolly shop.
- Find them at 29 Denison St.
- Drifta. For everything outdoors, from swags to a folding solar panel.
- You’ll find them at 37 Church St.
- Mustang & Co Saddlery Almost everything you need for horse and rider. Plus a great range of leather gifts and country clothes.
- Check out the new store at 47 Church St.
Christmas Day lunch
The highlight for many of us at Christmas is Christmas Dinner. However, while some of us stick to the tradition of roast turkey with all the trimmings, there are alternatives to spending hours in a hot kitchen. So far, I haven’t heard of any clubs or restaurants offering lunch on Christmas Day. However, why not swap a traditional turkey for a more Aussie choice?
One festive lunch I’ve wanted to try is a Champagne crepes stack with smoked salmon and sour cream, a recipe I picked up from the Good Weekend about 30 years ago. The original recipe isn’t online but you can adapt this Champagne crepe stack recipe, losing the avocado and adding chopped dill. Use the avocado in a fresh summer salad and you have Christmas Day lunch sorted. However, you need a substitute for the traditional plum pudding.
Years ago a dear friend every Christmas would bring a Summer Christmas Cake. Sadly, despite searching the internet, I can’t find anything that looks remotely like what she used to serve. Instead, this year I’m going to reinvent my favourite cake recipe, the Donna Hay Lemon Yoghurt Cake, cooked in a bundt cake tin as per the recipe. To add the Christmas feel, I’ll serve the cake topped with summer berries, yoghurt and a dressing of mistletoe.
Boxing Day after a traditional lunch usually means a food hangover. You want lighter food that doesn’t take an age to prepare. My standby is ham with a fresh tomato and onion salad or perhaps a Tricolore salad of tomato, avocado and mozzarella.
For a quick and easy Boxing Day dessert, grab some pre-made meringue nests from the supermarket, smash them into bite-sized pieces and smother them with an assortment of berries and Jalna Sweet & Creamy Greek Yoghurt. Job done.
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